Starkville Strong - Better Together

🎉 #𝗪𝗲𝗱𝗻𝗲𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆𝗪𝗶𝗻: 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧! 🎉

This week we got news four of our clients and their families have secured permanent housing. Because of crowdsourcing, we were able to assist with helping them start over. These clients found success through our Path to Stability Program. They secured safe, stable housing with the support of our Starkville Strong team! 💪

By focusing on resilience and teamwork—key to our core value “Better Together”—they navigated resources and built a plan for lasting success.

Every victory, big or small, brings us closer to a stronger, more united community. 🌟

𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝘂𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗢𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀:
www.starkvillestrong.org/donate

𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗨𝘀:
https://linktr.ee/StarkvilleStrong

𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗨𝘀:
Email: [email protected]

East Mississippi Lumber Company has been a steady supporter of Starkville Strong, providing both monetary donations and regular contributions of hygiene items for our Neighbors Helping Neighbors program. Their generosity directly impacts the lives of those we serve, helping us meet essential needs in our community.

As a local, family-owned business, East Mississippi Lumber Company has been serving the area with quality building materials and exceptional service for years. If you’re planning your next project, consider supporting the businesses that give back to Starkville.

📍 Where to find them:
East Mississippi Lumber Company
300 Russell St., Starkville, MS
☎️ (662) 323-3554

Thank you for standing with us and making Starkville stronger!

𝘾𝙊𝙉𝙉𝙀𝘾𝙏 ➡️ 𝙀𝙈𝙋𝙊𝙒𝙀𝙍 ➡️ 𝙎𝙐𝙋𝙋𝙊𝙍𝙏

The success of our Second Servings program relies heavily on partnerships with both food providers and distribution partners. Here's how these partnerships play key roles:

Fᴏᴏᴅ Pᴀʀᴛɴᴇʀꜱ

𝙎𝙪𝙥𝙥𝙡𝙮 𝘾𝙝𝙖𝙞𝙣 𝙎𝙪𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙞𝙣𝙖𝙗𝙞𝙡𝙞𝙩𝙮:
Local restaurants, grocery stores, and food vendors help minimize waste by donating surplus food or items nearing expiration. This prevents overproduction waste and directly supports community food distribution​​.

𝘿𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙌𝙪𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝙤𝙛 𝙊𝙛𝙛𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨:
By partnering with a variety of food sources, Starkville Strong ensures that the items provided meet nutritional and dietary needs​​.

Dɪꜱᴛʀɪʙᴜᴛɪᴏɴ Pᴀʀᴛɴᴇʀꜱ
𝙀𝙛𝙛𝙞𝙘𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝘿𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮:
Partnerships with volunteers, community organizations, and local businesses ensure the timely stocking of food pantries and delivery to individuals who cannot access them​​.

𝙎𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙜𝙞𝙘 𝘼𝙘𝙘𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙗𝙞𝙡𝙞𝙩𝙮:
Distribution partners help identify gaps in coverage and ensure resources reach underserved areas, improving outreach efficiency​​.

These relationships amplify the program's impact by reducing food insecurity while fostering a collaborative approach to addressing community challenges​​.

More info: https://starkvillestrong.info/Second_Servings

It’s $5 𝙁𝙧𝙞𝙙𝙖𝙮!

To all our $𝟱 𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗙𝗮𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗳𝘂𝗹𝘀 who donate even when I forget to post, we see you, we appreciate you and we’re grateful for your support. 🫶
- The Starkville Strong Team

❉ Venmo: StarkvilleStrong
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❉ Cash App: $StarkvilleStrong
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✽ PayPal: [email protected]
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❉ PayPal Link:
https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=KMQQSWLT7RXBQ
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❉ Donate Link:
www.starkvillestrong.org/donate
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❉ Mail checks to 109 South Lafayette St., Starkville, MS | Made out to Starkville Strong
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❉ Amazon Wishlist:
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2D6E18JGJ9D7T?ref_=wl_share
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❉ Second Servings Donation Links:
https://starkvillestrong.info/Donate_Second_Servings

Starkville Strong is proud to provide
𝙎𝙚𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙙 𝙎𝙚𝙧𝙫𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨 to Casserole kitchen three times weekly.

Thank you to our food and distribution partners for making that possible.

More info on Second Servings:
https://starkvillestrong.info/Second_Servings

How to Donate:
https://starkvillestrong.info/Donate_Second_Servings

From Oktibbeha County Emergency Management Agency / E911
➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖ ➖➖
🚨 Warming Center Opening 🚨

Due to the Winter Storm Watch, a Warming Center will be available for those that need a place to keep warm at:

📍 Oktibbeha County Community Safe Room
985 Lynn Lane, Starkville, MS 39759

⏰ Hours of Operation:
Wednesday, Jan. 8: 8 PM – 8 AM (Thursday, Jan. 9)
Thursday, Jan. 9: 8 PM – Noon (Friday, Jan. 10)

Please note: Hours may extend depending on updates from the National Weather Service.

Stay safe, stay warm, and share this message to help spread the word! ❄️

‼️‼️UPDATE‼️‼️ We just got news that the County Board of Supervisors has voted to open the storm shelter. Stay tuned for more updates and next steps.

❄️ 𝗨𝗥𝗚𝗘𝗡𝗧: 𝗦𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗡𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗲𝗱 ❄️

With 𝙛𝙧𝙚𝙚𝙯𝙞𝙣𝙜 weather here and continuing throughout the week, Starkville faces a 𝙘𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙡 need: a warm place for those without shelter or those with inadequate heating.

While discussions have started with local officials, there is currently no official proposed solution. This is a community problem, and we believe it requires a community-driven solution.

𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝗸𝘃𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗲'𝘀 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝘃𝘂𝗹𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗯𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗮𝘀, 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁!

𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬:
• Do you know of churches, 24 hour businesses, or spaces that could open their doors?

• Can you volunteer time or resources to make a proposed shelter possible?

• Are there any empty apartments, buildings or storage facilities available?

This is about coming together as resilient community to ensure no one is left in the cold. Drop your suggestions in the comments or email us at [email protected].

Let’s step up for our neighbors.

Thank You, Stamp in Time Photography!

Since the very beginning of Starkville Strong, Stamp in Time Photography has found creative and heartfelt ways to support our mission. From offering discounts and free sessions in exchange for donations of food and hygiene items to organizing her most recent drive for stockings filled with essentials for our elderly and disabled clients, her partnership has been one of our most valued.

Check out her work and support a business that truly gives back:
📸 Stamp in Time Photography
🌐 www.stampintime.net
📱 Facebook:

Thank you for being such a meaningful part of our story!

Thank you so much to Starkville Rotary Club!

The Starkville Rotary Club’s commitment to “Service Above Self” shines through in their support of Starkville Strong this past year. From donating food and hygiene products to awarding us a grant, your support has made a real impact on the lives of those we serve. We’re proud to partner with an organization that leads with such a strong philanthropic spirit. Thank you for standing with us!

For the fourth year in a row, the Golden Triangle Quilters Guild has shown up for those our elderly and disabled clients in the most thoughtful way. The handmade quilts they’ve provided for our Christmas bags aren’t just blankets—they’re tangible acts of kindness and care that remind our clients they matter.

Year after year, this group quietly and consistently pours their time, energy, and talent into something that brings both warmth and joy to those who need it most. Your dedication is soul warming, and we are beyond grateful for the love and community spirit you continue to share with Starkville Strong.

Thank you for being such a beautiful part of this mission and for carrying on with this tradition.

Celebrating Starkville Strong’s
𝗧𝗢𝗣 𝗗𝗢𝗡𝗢𝗥 𝗼𝗳 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰: Barbara Runnels Coats, FICF, RICP, Modern Woodmen of America

At Starkville Strong, we believe in the power of collective action and the extraordinary difference one person can make. This year, we are honored to celebrate Barbara Coats in Starkville, Mississippi, as our 2024 Top Donor—a title that barely captures the depth of her generosity and unwavering commitment to our mission.

Barbara is more than a donor; she is a partner in change, a trusted advocate, and a true champion of our vision. Her contributions have touched every corner of our work—from meeting emergency client needs to driving initiatives like Path to Stability, Neighbors Helping Neighbors, and Second Servings. Whether it’s ensuring families have access to life’s essentials or fueling innovative programs that address food insecurity and housing instability, Barbara’s impact is undeniable.

What sets Barbara apart is her dedication to bringing people together for a shared purpose. She often humbly describes herself as “just a vessel,” but we know better—her leadership inspires action and her belief in a better, stronger community is contagious.

Her generosity doesn’t end with her work at Modern Woodmen. She also steps forward as an individual monthly donor, making it possible for us to maintain and grow our outreach to ensure that no one in our community is left behind.

Barbara, you embody what it means to be Starkville Strong. Your kindness, vision, and commitment to building a stronger, more compassionate community are gifts that will echo for years to come.

Thank you for standing with us, for believing in our mission, and for helping us create real, lasting change. Together, we are better, and together, we are Starkville Strong.

A big thank you to Brice Welch for partnering with us this past year!

𝗔 𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗹𝗲 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗕𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗲:
Brice has combined his love for math and sports as the SHS Boys Basketball manager and statistician since 8th grade, a role he still holds as a junior, with dreams of coaching one day. He picked up the saxophone quickly in middle school, mastering sight-reading and developing a love for jazz and college fight songs.

Brice’s knowledge of college and professional football and basketball is impressive, but even more so is his loyalty. He’s the glue of a friend group that’s been together for over eight years, always supportive and dependable. He’s passionate, all-in with everything he loves, and brings humor wherever he goes.

Brice has also been a tremendous asset to Starkville Strong while earning his Eagle Scout status. He planned and executed the construction of sturdy shelving that brought much-needed organization to one of our storage units—a project that continues to help us manage purchased and crowd-sourced donations in our new warehouse space generously provided by Carrie Niemet.

He also organized a sporting goods drive, collecting gently used and new equipment to help local children participate in sports when they otherwise couldn’t. Brice is an incredible example of leadership, kindness, and initiative, and we are grateful for the impact he’s made on our community. Thank you, Brice, for being such an inspiration to your peers and this generation.

What 𝓢𝓽𝓪𝓻𝓴𝓿𝓲𝓵𝓵𝓮 small businesses did you support in 2024?

✴️Share your top 5 and tag them!

𝙂𝙊𝘼𝙇:
$1,000

𝙒𝙃𝙔?:
To have enough Second Servings containers to provide for our usual distribution 𝙋𝙇𝙐𝙎 extras for the Rose Lawn Terrace fire victims.

1. Venmo: StarkvilleStrong

2. Cash App: $StarkvilleStrong

3. PayPal: [email protected]

4. PayPal Link: https://starkvillestrong.info/Donate_Today

5. Amazon Wishlist: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2D6E18JGJ9D7T?ref_=wl_share

6. Second Servings Donations:
https://starkvillestrong.info/Donate_Second_Servings

7. Mail checks to 109 South Lafayette St., Starkville, MS - Made out to Starkville Strong

𝙏𝙖𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖 𝙌𝙪𝙞𝙘𝙠 𝙇𝙤𝙤𝙠 𝙖𝙩 𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙏𝙤𝙥 10 𝙄𝙢𝙥𝙖𝙘𝙩𝙨 𝙤𝙛 2024:

1. We served 1,300 households and 2,600 food and hygiene through our 𝙉𝙚𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙗𝙤𝙧𝙨 𝙃𝙚𝙡𝙥𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙉𝙚𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙗𝙤𝙧𝙨 monthly event.

2. We distributed 22,250 ready to eat nutritious meals and saved 55,000+ lbs of food from going into the trash through our 𝙎𝙚𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙙 𝙎𝙚𝙧𝙫𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨 Initiative, which distributed to Casserole Kitchen, Five Horizons, JL King Center, Neighbors Helping Neighbors, Starkville Strong clients, homeless and more since April 2024.

3. We directly served 425 clients through our 𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗰𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 approach, with an estimated 90% of clients in our programs starting out unemployed being assisted in gaining employment.

4. Collaborated and connected with 85 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆, 𝗡𝗼𝗻𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗶𝘁 and 𝗕𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗡𝗼𝗻𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗶𝘁'𝘀 and 52 𝗠𝗦𝗨 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽𝘀 to increase impact and decrease overlap.

5. In 2024, we worked and connected with over 2,400 volunteers to 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗡𝗘𝗖𝗧 | 𝗘𝗠𝗣𝗢𝗪𝗘𝗥 | 𝗦𝗨𝗣𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧 our neighbors in need.

6-10 in pictures!

Learn more about us:
Https://starkvillestrong.info/Become_An_Expert

🎄🎁 Get Ready for the Holiday Cheer! 🎁🎄

Our Starkville Strong Youth Coalition is spreading joy with our Stocking Stuffers Giveaway! Join them at Fire Station Park Monday (tomorrow), December 23rd at 1:00 PM.

They’ll be handing out goodies until everything is gone—so come early to snag your festive surprises!

These youth have been working hard to put this project together and we are so proud of them!

Share with someone in need or come out and volunteer.

The Starkville Strong Youth Coalition is a student-led initiative that empowers young individuals to engage in meaningful community service and advocacy. The coalition focuses on brainstorming, planning, and executing community support initiatives. This platform is designed to inspire leadership, encourage collaboration, and foster a sense of responsibility among youth while addressing the needs of the Starkville community.

22,000 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙮 𝙩𝙤 𝙚𝙖𝙩 𝙣𝙪𝙩𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙡 𝙢𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙨

55,000 𝙡𝙗𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙘𝙤𝙤𝙠𝙚𝙙 𝙛𝙤𝙤𝙙 𝙨𝙖𝙫𝙚𝙙 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙗𝙚𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙧𝙤𝙬𝙣 𝙖𝙬𝙖𝙮

I ALMOST forgot! It’s Friday. $5 Friday that is…..

Our Second Servings Initiative ᴅᴇꜱᴘᴇʀᴀᴛᴇʟʏ needs containers and other items to continue being able to do this program.

𝘾𝙖𝙣 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙥𝙞𝙩𝙘𝙝 𝙞𝙣?
https://starkvillestrong.info/Donate_Second_Servings

Learn more: https://starkvillestrong.info/Second_Servings